Grief hit mum calls for action to stop repeat of balcony tragedy

THE family of a tragic toddler who plunged to her death from a balcony at her home have spoken about their “massive” loss.

Two-year-old Kayleigh Wotherspoon fell from the family’s second floor flat in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and later died from head injuries in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

It is thought she may have climbed onto a plastic table before losing her balance and falling over railIngs last Friday at around 2.45pm.

Kayleigh’s mum, Chelsea Wotherspoon, 18, said she is “completely broken” at what has happened to her “beautiful daughter”.

She said: “Life will never be the same for anyone who knew and loved Kayleigh.

“I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through anything like what I am goin through at the moment.”

Ms Wotherspoon, who has another young daughter Katelyn, three, also urged Fife Council to rethink putting families with young children in flats with balconies to prevent any repeat.

Accident

She said: “I think parents and also the council should be aware of how dangerous they can be, as they wouldn’t want anything like that to happen ever again.

“I also think that the council should think twice before putting someone with young kids in a flat – or make sure they are safer.”

The local authority announced this week that it intended to carry out an inspection to measure what action should be taken to prevent incidents of the same nature.

Alan Russell, housing manager with Fife Council, said: “We would all like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and want them to know they are in our thoughts at this time.

“This matter is now an active police investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment any further, but I can confirm that we will also conduct our own technical inspection following this tragic incident.”

Kayleigh’s grandmother Wendy Wotherspoon posted a tribute to the tot on her Facebook page.

She said: “Goodnight and sleep tight to our baby Kayleigh bean.

“Words can’t describe the pain we all feel and the massive hole you have left in our lives and hearts.”

Floral tributes had been laid on the step outside the flat’s main door, with one in a child’s handwriting saying: “Be a little star in heaven.”

Shock

Friends and neighbours also expressed their shock and grief at the loss of the little girl.

One said: “It is such a tragedy, I have children of my own and live in a flat – and you just can’t keep an eye on them every minute of the day.”

Leading the inquiry is Detective Inspector Tom Brown, who said: “This is a particularly sad case and our thoughts at this time are with the family of Kayleigh.

“Our investigations are continuing and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal at Kirkcaldy.